Sliding closure assembly having wedge-type seals



May 23, 1967 s. BOHN 3,320,700

SLIDING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY HAVING WEDGE-TYPE SEALS Filed July 21, 1965 Q I Q14 34% 2,4 34 gg F i/ I ii A? INVENTOR. Samuel Bohn ATTORNEY United States 1 mm (lfifice Patented May 23,- 1967 3,320,700 SLIDENG CLOSURE ASSEMBLY HAVING WEDGE-TYPE SEALS Samuel Bohn, 285 Aycrigg Ave., Passaic, NJ. 07055 Filed July 21, 1965, Ser. No. 473,621 9 (Zlaims. (Cl. 49404) This invention relates in general to a sliding closure construction, and more specifically to a sliding closure construction and seal therefor which is particularly adapted for use in cabinets, as for example cold storage cabinets, refrigerators and the like. i

Heretofore in cold storage cabinets, e.g. the commercial type of cold storage cabinets found in self-service supermarket outlets, retailers, meat markets, and the like it Was customary to close the access openings of such cabinets by means of sliding closures or' doors. Such closures usually comprised of a plurality of closure sections, each of which was adapted to slide between open and closed positions so that access was permitted through only a portion of the opening. These closure assemblies included a frame outlining the access opening to the interior of the cabinet and a closure of two more sections slidably mounted within the ends of the frame. The frame outlining the access opening usually included opposed guide rails and jamb rails that extended substantially co-extensively with the sides and end members of the frame. The closure or closure sections included complementary tracks or grooves in the peripheral edge por tions thereof to accommodate such rails. Usually a sealing strip of suitable sealing material, as for example rubber or plastic, was secured about the peripheral edges of the closure to engage with the opposed side members of the frame to seal the spacing between the sliding closure and the frame to prohibit the cold air from escaping to the outer atmosphere or conversely for prohibiting the warmer outside air from entering into the cold storage area of the cabinet.

However, it has been observed that because of the frictional engagement of the sealing strip along the surface of the frame defining the access opening, a considerable amount of force was required to slide the respective closure sections longitudinally of the opening frame between the open and close positions thereof. This was due to the considerable amount of resistance or friction resulting between the edge of the sealing strip and the adjacent side members of the frame. Because such refrigerated doors are frequently quite massive a shopper, and more particularly a woman shopper, had considerable difiiculty in sliding such closures between open and closed positions to gain access to the contents within such cold storage cabinets. For this reason, such doors were usually left opened.

Also, it has been observed that because of the frictional forces operating on the sealing strip in moving the doors or closure sections between open and close position, the sealing strips were subjected to considerable wear and deterioration. Consequently, the useful life of such sealing strips is materially diminished due to the excessive frictional wear to which they were subjected.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improved sealing means for use in cabinets in which the access opening is closed by a sliding enclosure.

It is another object of this invention to provide a sliding closure for an access opening with sealing means constructed and arranged so as to enhance the sliding of the closures between open and closed position and theuseful life of the sealing means;

Another object of this invention is to provide the sliding closures for a cabinet construction with sealing means constructed and arranged so that the sealing 'is rendered operative only in the closed position of theclosure'meanjsil Still another object of this invention is to provide slid ing closure for use in a cabinet construction whereinthe amoont of force required to slide the closure between open and closed position is reduced to an absolute minimum.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a sliding closure and seal therefor which is relatively simple in construction, canbe readily fabricated, and which is positive in operation.

In accordance with this invention the foregoing objects, and other features and advantages are attained in a cabinet having an access openingwhich is closed by a sliding closure. The closure assembly of this invention comprises essentially of a frame outlining the access opening of a cabinet, as for example a refrigerator box or the like. The frame includes rectangular disposed opposed side members and connected end jamb members, the respective members being formed with a plurality of guide-rails that extend substantially longitudinally the length thereof. The closure for such openings comp-rises a plurality of closure sections, each having a length less than that of the opening to be closed with means for accommodating the guide rails of the adjacent side and end members of the frame whereby the respective closure sections are free to slide between the end jamb members of the frame to open and closed positions. In accordance with this invention a sealing means is interposed between the opposed peripheral portion of the respective closure sections and the adjacent frame members on which the closure sections slide. In accordance with this invention the sealing means comprises a flexible sealing strip which is preferably carried by the respective closure sections, and a complementary Wedge shaped means disposed along the opposed side members of the frame corresponding to the closed position of the respective closure sections. The arrangement is such that the free edge of the sealing strip and the incline surface of the respective wedge means are provided with complementary inclined surfaces so that in the closed position of the door, a seal is formed between each closure section and the adjacent portion of the frame member by the interengagement of the free edge of the sealing strip with the inclined surface of the wedge means.

In accordance with this invention the respective wedge means are disposed along the portion of the frame for accommodating the respective panel sections in their closed position. The arrangement is such that the seal is affected only in the closed position of the respective closure sections. Also the inclination or the com-plementary inclined surfaces of the sealing strip and of the associated wedge member is such that the cooperating surface inclines inthe direction in which the respective panel sections are moved to their'closed position. With the arrangement described the initial movement of the respective closure sections to their respective open position will break the seal permitting the closure section to be effortlessly moved to its open position. With the seal of the respective sections thus broken, the respective closure sections can be moved from a closed position to their respective open positions free of resistance or frictional drag operating thereon resulting between a moving. sealing. strip and the adjacent side portions of the frame as heretofore encountered;

A feature of the invention therefore resides in the provision of a sliding closure for an access opening to a cabinet having sealing means which is-eifected or rendered operative only in-the closing position of the closure;

Another feature ofthis invention resides in the provision of a sliding door closure having asealing strip provided with an inclined edge which is adapted to engage the complementary incline surfaces of a complementary 3 nember in the closed position to form a seal therebetween n the closed position thereof. I

Still another feature of this invention resides in the rovision of a sliding closure having a seal means which 3 free of frictional engagement with the adjacent side aortions of an access opening frame as the closure is noved from its closed to open position.

Another feature of this invention resides in a sliding :losure and sealing means therefor in which the amount at" force required to overcome the sliding friction of the reading means is reduced to a minimum.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision wherein a sliding door closure is provided with a seal means construction which minimizes the friction be- :ween a sealing strip and the adjacent frame structure of an opening to enhance the wearing qualities thereof. Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent When considered in view of the drawings and specification in which:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a fragmentary portion of a cabinet construction to illustrate the access opening thereto and sliding closures thereof wherein the sliding closures are shown in the closed position thereof.

FIGURE 2 is a detail plan view of one of the side members of the frame defining the access opening in accordance with this invention.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail section view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 on FIGURE 3.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIGURE 1 the closure assembly of the present invention. The closure assembly 10 comprises essentially of a frame 11 defining or outlining the access opening 12 formed in a wall portion 13 of a storage cabinet, as for example a cold storage cabinet, refrigerator, or the like commonly used in retail outlets. The frame 11 comprises essentially of opposed side members 14-14 and connected end jamb members 15-15 which are rectangularly disposed with respect to one another. The respective opposed side members 14-14 and end jamb members 15-15 are substantially identical in cross-section. Consequently, the respective side and end members 14-14, 15-15 can be readily fabricated from a continuous elongated piece of an extruded structural member. Accordingly, the respective side and end members of the frame 11 can be readily formed simply by cutting an extruded member to desired lengths. If desired, the side and end members of the frame 11 defining the opening may be formed of any suitable metallic or plastic material which can be readily extruded or molded to shape.

In the illustrated embodiment the respective side and end jamb members 14-14, 15-15 are formed from a structural member having a relatively wide web portion 16 which terminates in an outwardly extending flange portion 17 connected along one edge thereof. Connected to the other longitudinal edge of the web portion 16 is a front facing flange 18 that extends laterally to either side of the web portion 16. Thus the front facing 18 and 0pposed laterally extending flange 17 are constructed and arranged so as to receive therebetween the thickness of wall 13 of the cabinet, Further the respective side members 14-14 are each provided with a pair of spaced apart guide rails 19-19 which project inwardly of the assembled frame 11, with each rail 19, 19 extending substantially coextensively the length of its respective side. The respective jamb end members of the frame are likewise provided with a pair of parallel jarnb guide rails (not shown) but similar to that described in a co-pending application Ser. No. 405,344, filed Oct. 21, 1964, and now US. Patent No. 3,305,973, the arrangement being such that the complementary guide rails 19-19, and jamb rails of the respective side and end members being co-planarly disposed so that each defines an endless track circumscribing the inner periphery of the frame opening.

In accordance with this invention a closure 20 is provided for sealing or closing the opening. As best seen in FIGURE 1 the closure 26 comprises at least two closure sections 21, .22 each being arranged to form a closure for a portion of the cabinet opening. In the illustrated arrangement the respective closure sections 21, 22 are dimensioned so that each will form a closure for substantially one-half of the access opening. However, it will be readily understood that more than two closure sections may be provided, for example three, four, or more closure sections, depending on the length of the opening to be sealed and/ or upon the Size of the respective closure sections making up the closure.

In the illustrated embodiment each of the respective closure sections 21, 22 includes a circumscribing frame 23, 24 constructed and arranged so as to accommodate a double wall thermo-sealed glass panel 25 which provides visibility to the contents within the cabinet. However, it can be readily understood that an opaque closure section or assembly may be utilized if such is desired.

Each of the respective closure section frames 23, 24 is provided with a groove or track 26 extending substantially the length thereof in each of the opposed side portions thereof for accommodating the complementary guide rails 19-19 of the complementary side members of the frame so that the respective closure sections 21, 22 are slidably supported therebetween. To facilitate the sliding of the respective closure sections 21, 22 on their associated guide rails 19-19 suitable ball bearing means 27 may be interposed within the trackway and in rolling engagement with the guide rails 19-19.

To assure positive sealing with the minimum of binding or friction occurring between the respective closure section 21, 22 and the frame 11 defining the opening during sliding of the sections, an improved sealing means is provided. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing means comprises a substantially U-shaped sealing member 28 which may be either integrally molded or formed as an insert connected along respective side portions of the closure sections 21, 22; In the illustrated embodiment the sealing member is defined by a U-shaped member having opposed leg portions 28A, 28B which extend substantially co-extensively the length of the respective side portions of the closure frame 23. The arrangement is such that the free end 29 of the respective leg portion of the U-shaped seal 28 extends beyond the adjacent top and bottom peripheral edge portions of the respective closure sections 21, 22 to straddle the guide rail 19 therebetween.

In accordance with this invention the free edge portion 29 of the respective leg portions of the seal 28 is inclined. As best seen in FIGURE 4 the free edge 29 of the sealing strip leg portions 28A, 2813 along the bottom of the closure inclines upwardly in the. direction in which the respective closure section is moved to its closing position. For example, in the form of the invention illustrated in FIGURE 1 the free edge 29 of the sealing strip along the bottom closure section closing the right half of the opening is inclined upwardly as indicated at line 31). The free edge of the sealing strip carried along the bottom of the closure section ,that closes the left half of the opening is inclined upwardly as indicated at 31. The respective upper sealing strips along the top of the respective sections inclines downwardly as at 32 and 33.

In accordance with this invention a complementary sealing means is provided to cooperate with the free edge 29 of the respective sealing strips 28 so as to form a seal in the closed position of the respective closure sections only. As shown in FIGURE 3 and also in FIGURE 4 the complementary sealing means includes an elongated inclined wedge or cam means 34 interposed adjacent each side of the respective guide rails 19-19 and extending along the upper and lower side members 14-14 of the frame 11. In the illustrated embodiment, it is to be noted that each of the respective wedge ,orcam means 34 is substantially co-extcnsive in length to the length of 5. the associated closure section 21, 22'. Accordingly, the inclined surface 34A of the wedge or cam means 34 complements the incline of the free edge 29 of the sealing strip 28.

As best seen in FIGURE 2 and in FIGURE 4 the associated wedge or cam means 34 of the respective closure sections 21, 22 are disposed along the opposed side members 14-14 of the frame so as to be opposite the associated closure section 21, 22 in the closed position of the section only. It will thus be noted as best viewed in FIGURE 4 that when the respective closure sections 21, 22 are disposed in their closed position the free edge 29 of the inclined sealing strip 28 forms a positive seal with the inclined surface 34A of the wedge or cam means 34. Also it is to be noted that the length of the wedge or cam equals substantially the length of its associated closure.

Thus in operation it will be noted that as soon as the respective closure sections 21, 22 are moved from their closed position to an open position, the initial movement of the closure section will function to disengage the sealing edge 29 of the sealing strip 28 from the surface 34A of the complementary cam or wedge means 34. Accordingly, the sealing strip 28 is thus free of frictional engagement with the proposed side members or wedges 34 of the frame when the respective closure sections are being moved to open position. Because of the complementary inclined surface 29 of the free end of the sealing strip 28 and the inclined surface 34A of the associated wedge means 34, the sealing is accomplished only in the absolute closed position of the respective closure section 21, 22;. In all other positions the sealing strip 28 is free from engagement with the cam means 34 due to the parallel spacing established between the inclined edge 29 of the sealing strip 28 and the inclined plane 34A of the camming wedge 34 in all other positions, but closed. Accordingly, no friction is encountered between the sealing strip 28 and the camming Wedge or frame member l414 as the respective closure sections 21, 22 are moved to open position upon the initial movement thereof. Consequently, the repetitive opening and closing of the door will not subject the sealing strip 28 to any appreciable wear or friction. Also because of the immediate separation be tween the inclined edge or end 29 of the sealing strip 28 and the associated inclined surface 34A of the associated cam or wedge member 34, the sliding of the respective closure sections 21, 22 from their closed to open position can be etfected With a minimum of effort. Consequently housewives may readily open the closures 20 of such cold storage cabinets with a minimum of effort and a maximum of case. Also the ease With which the respective closure sections may be closed insures a positive seal being affected in the closed position thereof.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment of the invention it will be appreciated and understood that variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a closure assembly having a frame outlining an opening, and a sliding closure section for sealing said opening defined by said frame wherein the opening has a length greater that that of the closure section so that said closure is slidably mounted within said frame between open and closed postions, the improvement of said frame having a straight rail of uniform cross-section forming a guide along which said closure slides.

means for effecting sealing of said closure section in the closed position thereof by sliding said closure along said rail without effecting lateral displacement of said closure relative to said frame.

said sealing means including a sealing strip carried on said closure section and a complementary means fixed to said frame along said rail,

said sealing strip and complementary member having cooperating complementary inclined surfaces to form a seal therebetween in the closed position of said closure section.

2. In a closure assembly having a frame outlining an opening, and a sliding closure section for sealing said opening defined by said frame wherein said opening has a length greater than that of the closure section so that said closure section is slidable between open and closed positions, the improvement of said frame having opposed guide rails, said closure being confined for movement longitudinally of said rails only,

means for effecting sealing said closure section in the closed position thereof,

said latter means including a sealing strip having a portion extending beyond the peripheral edge of said closure section,

the extended edge of said strip being inclined,

and, a wedge means connected to said frame adjacent said guide rails so that in the closed position of said closure section, the inclined edge of said strip complements the incline surface of said wedge means to form a seal therebetween whereby making and breaking the seal is effected without lateral displacement of the closure relative to the guide rails.

3. In a closure assembly having a frame outlining an opening, and a plurality of sliding closure sections for sealing said opening defined by said frame wherein said opening has a length substantially equal to the sum of the length of the respective closure sections whereby each of said closure sections is slidable between open and closed positions on guide rails extending longitudinally of said frame, the improvement of means for confining said closure sections between said guide rails for sliding movement therealong free of any lateral displacement of the respective closure sections relative to said guide rail during such sliding movement thereof,

means for effecting sealing each of said closure sections in the respective closed position thereof,

said sealing means including a sealing strip having a portion extending beyond the edge of its respective closure section,

the extended edge of the respective strip, being inclined relative to the edge of its respective closure section,

and, a wedge having a complementary inclined surface disposed adjacent said guide rails and cooperatively associated with each of said closure sections in the closed position of said respective closure sections so that the inclined edge of said strip complements the incline of said wedge to form a seal therebetween so that in moving the closure sections toward open position said sealing strip is spaced from the surface of said wedge upon an initial movement thereof.

4. A closure assembly for an opening comprising:

(a) a frame for outlining said opening,

(b) said frame including rectangularly disposed 0pposed side members and connected end jamb members,

(c) each of said side members having a guide rail extending longitudinally therealong,

(d) a closure having means for slidably receiving said guide rails to render said closure slidable along said guide rails,

(e) a sealing strip disposed on the opposed sides of said closure whereby said sealing strips extend beyond the edge of the respective side of said closure,

(f) and cam having an inclined plane disposed adja cent each of said guide rails,

(g) said plane of said cam being inclined in the direction in which said closure moves to closed position, and

(h) the edge of said sealing strip being inclined to complement the slope of said inclined plane so that in the closed position of said closure, the strip engages the plane of said cam to form a seal thereat so that in moving the closure toward open position said sealing strip is spaced from said plane of the cam upon initial movement thereof. s

5. A closure assembly for a cabinet adapted for use in old storage and the like comprising: 7

(a) a frame for outlining aii access opening to said cabinet, I

(b) said frame including fectangularly disposed opposed side mernbers and connected erid jamb members, I s i s (c) each of said side members having a guide rail extending longitudinally therealong, 1 I

(d) said guide rails of the respective opposed side members being co-planarly disposed, I

(e) a closure including a closure frame comprisingrectangularly disposed side portions and end portions,

(f) each of said side portions of said closure frame having a groove for receiving said guide rails,

(g) a sealing strip disposed on either side of said groove on said closure frame whereby said sealing strips extend beyond the edge of the respective side portions thereof,

(h) and a wedge having an inclined plane disposed on either side of said guide rail of the respective side members,

(i) said plane of said wedge being inclined in the direction in which said door moves to closed position,

(j) the respective edges of said sealing strips being inclined to complement the slope of said inclined plane so that in the closed position of said closure, the sealing strips engages the plane of said wedge to form a seal thereat so that in moving the closure toward open position said sealing strip is immediately spaced from said plane of the wedge upon initial movement thereof to facilitate the sliding of said closure between open and closed positions.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein the length of said sealing strips is substantially coextensive to the length of said wedge.

7. In a cold storage cabinet construction the improvement of (a) a frame outlining an access opening net,

(b) said frame including rectangularly disposed opposed side members and connected end jamb members, (c) each of said side members having at least a pair of spaced apart guide rails extending longitudinally therealong,

(d) a closure for said opening,

(e) said closure including'at least two closures sections, each of said closure sections having a length less than that of the frame defining said opening so that each section is slidable between the end jamb members thereof,

(f) each of said closure sections including a section frame having rectangularly disposed side and end portions,

(g) each of said side portions of said section frame having a track,

(h) said track to said cabiof said section frame being slidably engaged-with a guide rail or said frame whereby said closure section is free to slide along its respective guide rail between the ends of said cabinet frame,

(i) means to facilitate the sliding of each closure section between open and closed position along said guide rails,

(i) said latter means including a sealing strip,

(k) said sealing strip extending beyond the respective side members of the respective section frame,

(1) each of said sealing strips having its free edge ta-' per'ed longitudinally thereof,

(m) a sealing wedge cooperatively associated with each closure section disposed along side guide rails,

(n) said sealing wedge having an inclined surface complementing the slope of the tapered edge of said sealing strip of an associated closure section,

(0) said Wedge and complementing sealing strip being inclined in the direction in which the associated section is moved to its closed position so that a seal therebetween is effective only in the closed position of said section.

8. In a storage cabinet or the like the improvement of;

(a) a frame for outlining an access opening to said cabi net,-

(b) said frame including rectangularly disposed side members and connected end jamb members,

(0) each of said side members having a plurality of thereof,

(d) the guide rails of the respective opposed side mem bers being disposed in coplanar relationship,

(e) a closure for said opening,

(f) said closure including a plurality of cooperating sections slidably disposed along side guide rails, each of said sections having a length less than that of said opening so that said sections are slidable between the end jamb members of said frame,

(g) each of said closure sections having their respective side edges slidably mounted along one of said guide rails,

(h) a sealing strip connected to the opposed side edges of each closure section,

(i) said strip being substantially coextensive to the length of its respective closure section,

(j) and said strip having its free edge inclined,

(k) a sealing cam having a complementary incline surface connected to the opposed side members of said frame,

(1) each of said sealing cams having a length at least coextensive to the length of its complementary sealing strip carried on the associated closure section,

(m) each cam being disposed on said frame member along that portion corresponding to the closed position of the associated closure section so that in the closed position of said closure the sealing strip of the respective closure sections form a tight seal with the inclined surface of its associated cam, which seal is broken upon the initial movement of the respective sections to its open position.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein the sealing strip of each section straddles the guide rail ofsaid section, and a pair of cooperating cams are disposed on each side of said guide rail to cooperate with said strips to form a double seal thereat.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,076,835 4/1937 Young 49-163 2,747,240 5/1956 Peterson 49-.425

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,293,002 4/1962 France.

DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Primary Examiner.

KENNETH DOWNEY, Examiner. 

1. IN A CLOSURE ASSEMBLY HAVING A FRAME OUTLINING AN OPENING, AND A SLIDING CLOSURE SECTION FOR SEALING SAID OPENING DEFINED BY SAID FRAME WHEREIN THE OPENING HAS A LENGTH GREATER THAN THAT OF THE CLOSURE SECTION SO THAT SAID CLOSURE IS SLIDABLY MOUNTED WITHIN SAID FRAME BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS, THE IMPROVEMENT OF SAID FRAME HAVING A STRAIGHT RAIL OF UNIFORM CROSS-SECTION FORMING A GUIDE ALONG WHICH SAID CLOSURE SLIDES, MEANS FOR EFFECTING SEALING OF SAID CLOSURE SECTION IN THE CLOSED POSITION THEREOF BY SLIDING SAID CLOSURE ALONG SAID RAIL WITHOUT EFFECTING LATERAL DISPLACEMENT OF SAID CLOSURE RELATIVE TO SAID FRAME, 